Due to some promotions and contests I’ve been participating in, I have many new followers and readers. Welcome! Occasionally I do a “Hopelessly Suburban” post, because after living in the suburbs for a few decades and being a mom, I’ve fallen into a rut. My goal is to lose my “Hopelessly Suburban” status and become more cultured and sophisticated, and step out of my comfort zone.

Early in the summer, I was chosen by Savings.com to be one of their 2011 Deal Pros. One of the perks of this honor is that I get to go to a 3-day conference next week in……..New York City! The most un-suburban place in the country!

Ok, so first of all, let me say that I am not so hopeless that I just fell off the turnip truck;  I have in fact been to NYC on many occasions. But even in visiting NYC, I have my comfort zones. I can safely and comfortably navigate my way from the bus or train station to Times Square, buy some show tickets and so on. And, on most occasions, I have been with someone else, so the experience wasn’t that scary. The exception was that for several years, I’d go to the Westminster Dog Show every year by myself. But that’s easy, I mean, the train practically drops you off in the lobby of Madison Square Garden.

Make sure you follow all of my adventures next week!

So far, this is what I am anxious about–how am I going to get there? I can take the train, which I have done many times the difference being that this time I’d have luggage including my laptop. The other option is that I drive, but gah! Driving into NYC! By myself?!?! I don’t think so. I’m going to make train reservations tomorrow. And then my only anxious moments will be packing and trying to reduce the amount of stuff that I take and then getting from Penn Station to the hotel.

As I’m preparing for the week, I’ve just come to a level of acceptance as far as my clothing. I have nice clothing but am just accepting the fact that none of it is high-fashion or NYC sophisticated. One email I received did call for “comfortable shoes” which leaves me wondering if my New Balance hiking shoes will be appropriate after all.

Make sure you stay tuned for all of the cool activities and giveaways going on as the event gets underway!